Samantha said:

First, you seem to always group all public schools in the same lump and that is just not possible. Just as i can’t lump all homeschoolers in the same lump, because i “could” categorize all h/s’ers as lazy moms whose children never learn to read and they are in 7th grade. (i have seen this happen ONE time). But, you can’t honestly believe that every single public school out there is bad, because that is just not true, just how my comment about h’s’ers is not true. Yes, there are bad public schools just as there are bad private schools and bad homeschoolling mothers.

But I can make broad statements about public schools.  They all have the same agenda.  The history of public school is riddled with agendas and mal intent.  Honestly, how could something have that much money thrown at it and NOT be corrupt?

And:

Regardless of what you think, we, as a public school family, DO talk and interact and train and educate our children within our home. we have just as many discussions about a variety of subjects as homeschooler’s. My children know that their teacher is not their final authority. That we are the ones who have the final say, regardless of what the teacher says and yes, i have told their teachers that and they have no problem with it. My teachers know that before my child is alloowed to read a “required” book, i have to approve it, just as i do with any movies that are shown. I take a proactive stance on my children’s schooling and my school does not have any problem with it of any kind.

Goodness, you people jump to conclusions.  I never said you don’t talk to your kids.  Honestly.  I went to PS and I talked to my parents at length.  My mom was my best friend all through high school.

Nothing ever happens in your child’s class without your knowledge and permission.  No teachers ever say "OMG!!" and no one in your neighborhood ever sends disturbed children to your child’s school.  None of your child’s peers ever accost your child.  The teacher never talks about her personal life that you may disapprove of.  That is one very special school.  Do you also get to interview and hire the teachers for them or do you stand in line and wait for fate to deal you a good teacher for your children that year?  Have you ever had a bad teacher?

And:

Katie- how many years/months has it been since you have been in a small, country public school? Ever been inside a Mansfield school since you lived there? Try it, go for one day…..you will be surprised at the amount of mom’s inside that school at all times.

Ummm…well, I grew up in Phoenix (pop 1.5 mil) so I have NO experience with small, country schools.  But since you mentioned it I made some phone calls today.  First I did some research and found the BEST school in the Springfield area.  Springfield is the closest big city with a population of 155,000.  Their school with the best MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test scores is called Walt Disney Elementary.  Did you know Walt Disney lived in MO at one time??  Below are the test results for WDE in 2008.

Grade 11

Communication Arts
43% (2008)
51% (2007)
51% (2006)
The state average for Communication Arts was 39% in 2008.

Grade 10

Math
53% (2008)
46% (2007)
49% (2006)
The state average for Math was 46% in 2008.

All test results can be seen here.

So clearly people are not sending their children there for a comprehensive and complete education.  Those numbers are pretty sad, are they not.  BUT, maybe they have one redeeming quality.  I called WDE to ask about the volunteerism there because surely those great test scores are a sign of how much help those teachers have in the classroom.  Sure enough, the office lady I spoke with said that they have "A lot of people that come in to volunteer."  I asked her how many each day and she replied "Oh I don’t know.  I just see them when they come in and sign in."  I asked her if she could give me a ballpark figure and she said "Well, we have a lady that comes in to help with the Reading Buddy program.  And a lady helps in the library and well, sometimes the teachers ask parents to come in.  And we have more parents on party days." and I chuckled and said "Of course, everyone wants to help on party day."  She said if I wanted real numbers I’d have to talk to the volunteer coordinator that that person is on the PTA not a staff member.  Ok, nevermind.  I’ve heard enough. 

The weird thing is I thought I would feel comforted to know that parents were really involved with the school but I found it even more frightening.  How many teachers are sitting around listening to the parents who are volunteering to spend time with my child on the Reading Buddy program?  Who knows what my 1st grader is being told by the volunteers in their reading class, their PE class, their music class, their computer class.  I mean, I’d have to really just trust that MOST people have my child’s best interest at heart if I were going to send them to public school.  Thankfully they did do background checks before you can volunteer.

And the ratio of child to teacher was 20:1.  Which is way worse than 12:1, in my opinion.

So I thought, surely things are better in itty bitty Mansfield.  After all Samantha says small, country schools are better.  There is only one elementary school in Mansfield (pop 1300) .  Wilder Elementary.  There are 308 children that attend Wilder Elementary in grades K-5.

Grade 10

Math
36% (2008)
33% (2007)
39% (2006)
The state average for Math was 46% in 2008.

Source: MO DESE, 2007-2008

Grade 11

Communication Arts
47% (2008)
38% (2007)
54% (2006)
The state average for Communication Arts was 39% in 2008.

Oof!!  Does that scare anyone else?  With only 36% of 10th graders able to pass a basic proficiency test I’d say that this school is more like free child care and less like an education.  Their ratios are 19:1.

I called the school and asked about volunteers.  "How many parents do you have volunteering daily?" her reply was "Daily?  We don’t have parents in our school daily.  We have one lady that helps in the library sometimes and sometimes people will come in to make copies but certainly not everyday."  I even clarified "You are not saying that you don’t have people that come in everyday, rather you are saying that most of the time there are NO volunteer parents at your school."  Correct.

But I guess these two schools are the exceptions, not the rule.

Lori said:

I have to agree with Samantha that your grouping of ALL public schoolers is not fair to them.

Fair in which way?  All I said was "Now those that send their kids to public school by choice can tell me that they *know* their children’s teachers and nothing like that ever happens in *their* school."  I grouped them by saying I had an idea what their collective argument would be.  And that is exactly what they said right?  That doesn’t make me "unfair" that makes me prophetic. ;)

MotherofBlessings said:

Regardless of why a family educates in a given way it is a mater of mathematics. Where does the child spend most of their time? That will be what influenced their heart, mind, and soul the most.

A child could be in a wonderful school with wonderful teachers. The students there will not all be wonderful. That is simply the way of this world.

Amen, and I have sent some of those children that are a bad influence to school when I did foster care.  Children that I would not take my eyes off of were sent to a classroom with 20 other Kindergarteners and boy howdy I wondered what happened when the teacher wasn’t looking.  Eh-hem, I’ve attended public school.  I *know* what happens when the teacher isn’t looking.

And:

The point of fact is that God has given children to a mother and father and not a teacher or school. There are things that can happen and be said that can not be undone. Why would anyone take such a risk with such a precious gift as a child?

Maybe my next post will be all about people sharing their public school horror stories.  And we will keep them all limited to elementary school because there were PLENTY of bad things happening in my school in 4th grade.  Things grown adults shouldn’t know and do!!

Anon said:

And in my personal experience, it has never been the school itself to promote such things, but usually individual teachers who decide to abuse their power. School administrators just tend to be spineless and not deal with problems until parents start complaining or they get bad press.

You obviously have not read the school wide curriculums that are used.  Have you not heard of the legislation in CA that would REQUIRE public schools to teach about homosexuality in elementary school?

Gina said:

On the other hand, today my first grader’s teacher had to deal with a little playground Drama today. She pulled her aside, explained to her EXACTLY what gossip was and told her “I know your mom, and I know that she does not think gossip is ok. And Neither does God. He says in the Bible that gossip is a sin.” Oh. Yes. She. Did.

Living with one foot in each world.

What exactly were they gossiping about?  Was the other child telling your child that the neighbor man was going to rape her?  Because that is what one public school boy told my kids when they were playing together in my front yard.  Public school boy thought he was helping.  It was like a public service message to my kids to keep them safe.

That was the day we changed our schedule to start school at 3:30pm.  I’m telling you, you can’t know everything your kid sees and hears and with ratios of 20:1 neither can her teacher.  At least I KNOW the kids my kids are hanging around, be it their siblings or trusted friends.  I choose their playmates and don’t leave it to chance that they have peers that are a good influence.

Lacey said:

One bad teacher doesn’t make public schools bad. I had many great teachers throughout my years in school. Of course great teachers don’t make the news. Doing a quality job educating children is hardly newsworthy, so we don’t hear about it.

Sure they do.  They win awards and such, right?  Like John Taylor Gatto, the author of Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling.  Thanks for the recommendation Ann Marie.

Those that are here for posts about homesteading and cook alongs we will take you back to your regularly scheduled blog tomorrow.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Insurance Claims, Weather and More Public School Discussion
2. Public School? An Answer to Anonymous
3. Public School At Its Finest

Now those that send their kids to public school by choice can tell me that they *know* their children’s teachers and nothing like that ever happens in *their* school.  And then they can say that if that did happen that they would be the first ones down there calling for the firing of that teacher.  Or they’d demand their child be moved to a new class.

Or maybe my readers would respond like the family of little Cathy.

Which is more sickening?  That this teacher berates her student for her political views or that the family sees nothing wrong with it? 

When you click on the link above continue watching past the primary, unedited interview because there is a secondary clip in which Cathy says "I was gonna start to cry because I was worried about my dad in Iraq."  And this is ok?

Comments are open.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Public School vs. Homeschooling
2. Public School? An Answer to Anonymous
3. Insurance Claims, Weather and More Public School Discussion

I’ll be back tomorrow with a post or two or three.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Merry X-Mess.
2. We Love Technology.
3. Look at what we are getting!!

But cooking over an open fire.  Now that is a family event.  Even two and five year olds can get in on the fun.  Seriously.  But we will talk about fire safety another time.

It was Jenna’s idea.  I had to help them start the fire (thank you Bic lighter) and provide the pot (thank heavens they didn’t burn the handle off, what was I thinking?).  They foraged wild onions outside and carrot, celery and rice from inside.

Resourceful little buggers.

They slaved over it several hours and then they enjoyed the fruit vegetables of their labor.

I’m told it was yummy.  And that’s school too!!

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Chicken Cranberry Salad
2. How To Be Cozy and Warm
3. I Want to Tell You Stuff.

Does anyone know what this is?  Anyone?  Anyone? Bueller? 

Is it Chamomile?  I need to pull some and dry it.  Where are my children?

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar.

It will turn into this.

Tent caterpillar.

Turns into this.  And then it will fly in your hair as you are trying to unlock your front door while 12 children stand behind you shivering in the freezing cold.  Well, it might.

We never did figure out who this fuzzy fellow is.  Any guesses?

And since we have not put any limits on the children besides don’t pick up snakes they bring us all kinds of pests interesting bugs.  I have not idea who or what this guy is.  The only reason I have a picture of it because my camera has a zoom feature.

And yet another caterpillar.  Is autumn always caterpillar season?

He’s trying to give you a high five.  Or he might be flashing you.  Not sure as I don’t speak ‘pillar.

Now try not to itch.  It really harmless even if it is large and big and large.

In reality this is not a big ugly spider but hours of entertainment.

Are these rose hips?

And what is this?  Someone help me keep my school hours up.  I must know what this is.

Thanks for playing.  I’ll be checking the comments regularly to find the answers to my questions. 

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. School is in.
2. Public School At Its Finest

It looks like a leaf.

Leopard Moth Caterpillar.

Bristly and black with red stripes.

It doesn’t sting but it is very shy.

Someday it will be this.  Very appropriate name, doncha think?  Except I think, if I were God, that I would make the caterpillars look like the moth they will become.  That is only fair right?  It would make things so much easier for me and Google.

Yet another turtle.

He was trying to commit Hara-Kiri in the parking lot of the local gas station. 

I saved his life.  I think he is a spotted turtle.

Fine specimen that he is.       

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Turtlology.
2. School Is In – Part II
3. The Economy

Jeff, Jessica and June found this guy crossing the road.

They rescued (??) him and brought him to our house.

He gets a lot of love although I’m not sure he appreciates it.

And he’ll never be hot because he has is own personal sprinkler.

Doesn’t he look comfy?

"Oh wait turtle."

"Not so fast."

"Come back here."

"Gotcha."

Look at that interesting reptilian specimen.

He has red eyes so he is a boy.  I counted this as school, yes I did.        

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. School is in.
2. Art Class
3. School Is In – Part II

And did this:

And checked out these:

And that’s school.

I’ve become disenchanted with the boxed curriculum. It is partly the material I don’t like, partly the price tag and mostly the schedule. I just don’t like being told what to do. I know, it’s immature of me. Deal with it.

So I bought the timeline figures for $20 and I thought “How fun, I’d love to learn history in chronological order.” and I also thought “This would be so much easier for me.” and I also thought “I bet the kids would enjoy this too.” So there I was. Thinking. And then I was all thunk out and I had this great idea and I just knew it would work and away we went tra-la-la, off to one of my most favoritist places in the world, the library.

These are the things we were studying when this picture was taken.
The Tower of Babel c. 3500-3300 BC
Sumerian Civilization begins 3500-2500 BC
Menes c. 3100 BC
Sumerian Cuneiform c. 2800 BC
The Epic of Gilgamesh c. 2750 BC
Stonehenge c. 2700 BC
Cheops (Khufu) c. 2600 BC
Egyptian Civilization begins c. 2575-2500 BC
The Sumerian Royal Standard of Ur c. 2500 BC

We had already studied-

The Creation c. 5000 BC
The Dinosaurs 5th and 6th days of Creation
Adam and Eve c. 5000 BC
Cain and Abel c. 5000 BC
Jubal and Tubal-Cain c. 5000 BC
Enoch c. mid 4000s BC
Methuselah c. early to mid 4000s BC
Noah and the Flood c. 3500 BC
The Ice Age c. 3500-2500 BC

We ended up watching 3 or 4 movies about Egypt and learned quite a bit. So we study about 10 new items and I go to the website for the library and search. Each time all kinds of choices have come up. I choose the ones that look the most interesting and away we go. Could it be any easier? Jenna reads to herself and some of the boys do as well. I read some out loud to the smaller kids and everyone learns the same thing at the same time which makes for great playtime and conversations here in the Bettendorf household.

So like I said, our school is better than yours….ok, I didn’t actually say that. I didn’t really think that either. What I *did* think was Gosh, I wish everyone knew the secret to teaching with timelines. This is GREAT!! and look now I’ve said it too. There you go, now you know. Thanks.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Public Schools Again
2. Art Class

My kids KNOW this kid in real life. They have met him on several occasions and my kids have never been impressed. He has three older siblings that have the same lazy attitude that he does. This all comes down to desire and commitment. The problem is not the spelling alone. It is that the kid doesn’t CARE that he is a poor speller. He and his 3 older siblings all have blogs and they all write things like “I know I spelled that wrong.” or “However that is spelled.” and have words on their blogs that they admit not knowing the meaning of. I just don’t get it. Why is this acceptable? Why have Americans lowered their standards?

Now about my kids and what we expect from them. Has everyone forgotten that 7 of my kids are drug exposed and at least 3 exhibit symptoms of alcohol exposure prior to birth. Do you really think that these kids are excellent in the language arts? One of my children can hardly put together 3 sentences correctly when speaking. You can imagine how that translates into written communication. I am teaching my kids very basic skills to help them in their journey toward a successful adulthood. One of the very best things a poor speller can utilize is spell check. The next is to ask for help when you don’t know the answer. Those attributes are ADMIRABLE

The written language is important. Whether you like it or not your potential employer will be “judging” you by how well you express yourself. It’s a fact. When a potential customer for your business receives a quote for a job from your business it needs to be well written. If your future customer gets a quote from your competitor that is the same price but better written who will get the job?

On the other hand, apparently we are living in an age where making excuses for yourself is more comfortable than trying to be better. My school day would be so much easier if instead of spending 30 minutes helping my children edit and correct their blog entries I spent that time having them repeat “I am incapable of spelling correctly because I am drug exposed.” or “I can not do better because I have learning disabilities.”

And this boy is TWELVE. Back in biblical times that was almost a man. Heck, I don’t know how most families handle that but in my home we are already grooming my boys for man’s work. Jeff had a conversation with John about this yesterday. Why do we expect our kids to remain children until they are THIRTY?

Someone pointed out to me that I spelled buffoon wrong. Hey thanks. I certainly did not take that as an “attack” and you know what, I’ll not spell that wrong again. And if I do type it again and I’m not sure of the spelling I have the correct spelling forever immortalized on my blog so I CAN spell it correctly if I choose to. That is what my kids do. Research!!

Now about those public school kids. I didn’t determine that they were public schooled BECAUSE they had slushies in their hands. I didn’t ASSUME they were public schooled because they were ill-mannered. I KNEW they were public schooled due to their “Gotta look out for myself.” behavior and the fact that their mother mentioned something about their SCHOOL!! Give me some credit people!!

JM asked:

How did you know they were PS kids? Even if they were, what does that have to do with their manners? It’s really the parent’s role to teach these things…not the school’s. When I see children like this, I assume that the parents probably aren’t parenting…or at least not well.

Not to beat a dead horse but it needs saying again. It is very difficult to teach your kids something contrary to what they are learning for 6-8 hours in the institution we call school.

Amy said:

Since I appreciate your honesty, I will give you the same.
1) I think you are making a mistake having a conversation about “backward public school kids.” If someone saw one of your children misbehaving, would you want them to turn it into a discussion of “backward homeschooled kids?” Besides, as many have also asked, how did you even know they were public schooled? Why not discuss why the behavior was rude and leave school out of it?
2) If your children grow up thinking all public schooled people are in some way beneath them, how does that benefit your children?
3) I do think it was rude to have Jenna tell the boy she couldn’t read his blog because of spelling. If you don’t think reading the blog benefits her, fine. Tell her not to read it anymore. You are not HIS parent or teacher. You have no authority over this boy and it truly ISN’T your place to embarrass him over his spelling (especially publically through the chat box) unless he asks your opinion.
4) Telling someone you cannot talk to him because of his spelling does not seem like showing the love of Christ (my opinion, of course.
5) I have seen ATROCIOUS “research papers” by some homeschoolers, with spelling almost as bad as that boy’s. In fact, it has caused me to reconsider my opinion on regulations for homeschoolers.
6) To be a nit picky former English teacher, there are technically two punctuation/grammar errors in the message Jenna sent :)

1) The reason I can not leave the school part out of the discussion is because the two seem to go hand in hand a lot of the time.

2) You used the word “beneath”, not I.

3) The goal was not to embarrass but to explain. And her note was sent via private message.

4) I disagree.

5) I agree that some homeschoolers can and do have horrible language arts skills. That was the whole point of the post. If this family chooses not to educate their children it makes homeschoolers look bad and society will want to start regulating us. Thankfully the standardized tests show the majority of homeschool families do take education seriously.

6) That is your prerogative to be nit-picky. I didn’t think my concern about this boy’s language arts skills was being “picky” but rather expecting the bare minimum.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Public School vs. Homeschooling
2. Reason 624 Why I Love Missouri
3. Our School Day – Part II

These older kids, probably 8 and 6, came and sat amongst Jeff and I.  One literally shimmied between the strollers to wedge herself between me and Jeff and saw nothing wrong with the proximity of my stroller, with camera in the seat, to her knees.  I didn’t get it.  We did leave right then and had a conversation about socially backward public school kids.

But now to the controversial part.  Just recently it has come to my attention that a 12yo homeschool boy has been sending private messages to my kids and this is a child whose blog my children read…let’s change that to past tense, read.  The PMs read something like this: "zup" and "word" so I took a look at the blog of this kid.  His spelling and grammar are atrocious!!!  So I told the kids there was nothing profitable in reading that blog.  It is not edifying, educational or in any other way a positive experience.  So I had Jenna send this PM:

My mom says I can’t read your blog because of your bad spelling and grammar. Please do not send me anymore PMs and if you leave a comment on my blog it needs to be spelled right and have the proper punctuation or it will be deleted.
Jenna

Good girl.  His reply:

Say what? bad spelling the bad ist thing i put up was i hate piano and a like the flute. oh is that Why you don’t talk to me any more sorry i ant that good at spelling sorry

Does anyone else think this is awful?  He’s TWELVE!!!  This boy continued to PM my kids so Jeff stepped in and posted on his "Chat Box". 

jeff: Please do not PM my kids or leave comments on their blogs until you learn how to spell. Thank you.

This 12 year old boy responded.

um i do spell right jiffy oh sorry i mean jeff

I am flabbergasted.  This is not about spelling or grammar or punctuation anymore.  This is about disrespect pure and simple.  Does anyone else wonder how a child with an attitude like this will ever find a job?  Before you go thinking that things will change in this child’s future you need to know what his father said to Jeff.

Sir,
I am requesting that you cease usurping my authority as [child's name]’s father. It is not your place to address my son’s spelling skills nor his manners. It is arrogant and prideful of you as an adult to judge my twelve year old son. Any child’s spelling can be cleaned up using spell check, but this reduces
creativity. I recommend the old fashioned method of referencing a dictionary. I find it disturbing that you are failing to be an encourager as directed by the NT.

How was Jeff usurping anything by asking the child not to contact our children?  If my child responded to an adult the way this child did the only thing out of my mouth would be an apology not an admonition.  Yikes!!

Please answer this poll:

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Spelling IS Important!!
2. Public School? An Answer to Anonymous
3. Insurance Claims, Weather and More Public School Discussion

The day was idyllic with plenty of drawing material, great weather, the ever present breeze and great company.

Everyone worked hard.

Even the little ones enjoyed the study.

Eventually everyone convened on the place where I was sitting.  Junie sat on my dandelion.  She kept telling me it is not supposed to be drawn because it is "just a weed" but I kept telling her it isn’t just a weed, it is salad.  I thought Jodi would be bothered by the wind but she had a blast.  See her on my lap?  She was trying to roll away and play on the grass.

This was Donut’s first time on a merry-go-round.

They spun until they felt sick.

They swung until they touched the clouds.

It was Donut’s first time in a big boy swing.

He loved it.

It was Jodi’s first time in a stroller.

She loved it as well.

I am liking this Nature Study stuff.  I am also liking our new curriculum, or lack there of, very much.  Soon after this last picture of Jodi we were scared out of the park by some public school kids. I’ll have that story and a controversial poll later today. 

I did make that liver and I did think it was eat-able.  I did force my children to eat it because I just read THIS article.  And if you are smart you will too.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Since I Missed the Contest…
2. Jodi and Jodi.
3. Bouncy

So we borrowed the Bob Books from the library.

And she read. Quickly. And well.

I’m so glad I ditched that other phonics program I had. Turns out kids are either ready or they are not. Jillian was ready.

I’m going to go cry now. Excuse me.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Real Food Wednesdays – What Are You Planting?
2. I’m Glad You’re Not Dead.
3. Thirty-Two Snippets

We were supposed to cover Science yesterday but the weather was not cooperating.  You see, it was in the low 70s yesterday and well, it would have been child abuse to keep the kids inside.  Instead we did P.E.

This is where they prefer to play.  This is our side yard and the neighbors front yard.  This is the neighbor with the teenage daughter that babysits.  They also let us play in their yard and use their football when they run to lunch in town.  Oh ya, I like our neighbors.

We had three neighbor boys over so it made for a good game.  I supplied the flags when I realized the touch football system was not working.  They also use the flags for marking who is it during freeze tag.  They usually designate 2 or 3 that are taggers.   

It was so warm out they all took their shoes off.  Which makes me happy.  There is nothing better than kids and the freedom they have to go barefoot in warm weather.

They were also very good about including the little kids.  There are some issues with these boys that we have to deal with but all in all I’m pleased with the opportunities my boys have to play with others.  I am eager to move though. :)

We are going out to the property today.  It will be in the 70s again.  Tomorrow it will be rainy and in the 30s.  I know, weird.  Tomorrow will be a perfect day for Science and Spelling tests. :)

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Our School Day – Part III
2. Our School Day – Part II
3. Our School Day – Part I

Now it is time for the big kids to shove the little kids on the floor and commandeer the computers for their own purposes like hacking into government files.

Or for typing lessons.  In theory they type for 20 minutes but about this time I have stuff to do and I kinda check out of the whole school process.  Most of the time the poor kids are left typing for 30-40 minutes.  Inevitably, when I say “Oh, typing is over.” they say “Can I finish this one game?”  Of course I let them finish.  I’m not a complete ogre and it is “school” after all.

Some days we mix it up and they do typing before read-alouds.  It’s like one big academic roller coaster.  Or maybe a merry-go-round or that horrible Zipper ride that makes your stomach turn but you like it so much you can’t resist getting back in line and waiting another hour to experience that kind of fear again.

While the big kids are typing the little kids are throwing paper airplanes down the hall.  That is the only place I allow them to throw airplanes.  They are studying aerodynamics.  Sometimes they study other things like biology and physics as they spin until their inner ear can take no more and then fall in a heap on the floor all on top of each other. 

If you stand on a stepstool will the plane fly farther?

Oh my goodness I love this picture of Jonah.  He loves to study aviation.  And to wear his underwear backward.

Then it is time for the kids to read to me.  This is the time where I take a nap in my chair.  The soothing and lulling rhythm of the boys’ reading rocks me to sleep where I dream of the Oregon Trail and the Pony Express.  Imagine that.  Also imagine that I am sitting in that chair in the picture.

My boys are great readers and he twins are excellent at remaining quiet when necessary.

Jessica and Junie spend about 15 minutes reading to Jenna in the other room.

At night, after the other kids are all tucked in bed, I allow Jenna to stay up a couple hours later than them and finish up her school work.  Here she is working on Latin.  She’ll also practice guitar and read.

That girl loves Latin.  I try to limit her to 30 minutes a day but she is a maniac.  Laborat.  That’s Latin for “she works.”  Jenna told me that.  Because she’s cool.  Far cooler than you.  Or those public school kids.  That last jab at PS kids was all about the drama.

Tomorrow we will talk about Science.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Our School Day – Part II
2. Love This School Thing!!
3. School and School

Yep, we start around 10am. The big kids have a shelf for their school books. Oh look, Jessica is grabbing Junie’s books as well. What a nice sister!!

Everyone is ready to go. It looks as if John is staring out the window. Maybe he is studying the birds in the neighbor’s tree. That is ornithology. I can count that as school. Everyone has their math (Math-U-See), Spelling (Spectrum Spelling) and Handwriting (A Reason For Handwriting – Can’t believe my personal editor didn’t tell me I had the title wrong!!) books out and are ready for their “seatwork”.

Jenna’s job is to supervise the big table while she works on her stuff. The spice jars and ingredients for a cleanse are there to learn about natural healing. That is naturopathy.

John is on the next level in MUS and needs to watch the instructional video so he can move on and someday be a math whiz. Good thing he doesn’t have a fear of numbers. That would be arithmophobia.

Yep, John is working hard. He loves that MUS. They work on math for 30 minutes. With my FAS kids they have what has been called “flow through phenomenon” which means the information that was there yesterday may not be there today. On those days the kids sit and stare at their books for 30 minutes. Thankfully the information does return eventually. The longest I’ve seen a kid sit was for three days. On the fourth day everything resurfaced and all was well. Our 30 minute system helps everyone keep their sanity.

Jenna is working on her spelling. She’d rather be doing Latin. The girl loves Latin.

Time for spelling for the boys. I allow the boys to work together. It has worked really well. You would think that the slower kids would rely on the faster kid to do all the work and the slower kids would just copy but it never seems to work that way. They really do all work and they still learn. They all got As on their last spelling test so we must be doing something right.

Jessica works alone but does very well also. She needs a little hand holding but I answer her questions again and again.

Handwriting is not a favorite of anyone but they get through it and do their best. I think they really are pleased to see how well their handwriting has progressed. And it is only one page so they don’t get burnt out.

Jessica and June do printing while the boys and Jenna do cursive. Jenna really needed help with her handwriting. Whew!

Look at that fabulous handwriting. I know you are impressed. I am, anyway. Doesn’t John’s shirt look nice and clean?

Sometime after the big kids math the little kids have finished up their school and I have a moment to take a break (and sometimes I need it after teaching the little kids) before the big kids finish their seatwork. Then I do some reading aloud. Jodi likes to help me by holding the extra books.

They are so attentive.

The little kids played ball quietly while I read.

More read alouds. Join us for part 3 tomorrow.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Our School Day – Part III
2. Home School Group
3. School and School

First we clean up. We, as in them. I just supervise.

We begin around 10am. The big kids get their books out (I will show some of that tomorrow) and have a seat at the big table. The little kids get their books out and head to the …yep, little table. Great how that works, eh? What you see here are kids grabbing their 3 ring binders out from under the kitchen island. Isn’t that where everyone keeps their school books? Hey we are a family of 14 living in a 2800 sq ft home but really only using 1400 of those sq ft. We do what we can. Everyone is happy. Here is a post from November with some preschool pics as well.

While the kids are preparing for an extraordinary day of learning Jonah loses it in his bedroom. Remember the naked kid pictures? Now he has his pants on but he is freaking out over the whole clothing thing. Pictures don’t do the decibel level justice. I give him directions to stop the wailing and move on with the day.

Now we are getting down to business. The kids are grabbing their pencils and getting seated to complete their 20 minutes of school. Hey, they are little, 20 minutes is enough. Donut just kinda hangs out with us.

Jeff kept the baby for a moment this day. He doesn’t normally but he knew I was taking pics so he pitched in.

Jonah is always super helpful during school. He likes to watch but will always stop if I tell him he has gone to far with is “help”.

The activities are not difficult. It is all about following directions. Staying in your seat and not throwing your pencil or kicking your neighbor are part of the directions.

Gotta make some coffee. I don’t do this everyday but this particular morning it sounded good.

These little ones, with the exception of Jillian, need the directions repeated many many times. I recently had this conversation:

Me: Color the bird yellow.

Josiah: This bird?

Me: yes. That one.

Lina: This bird?

Me: Yes. That one right there.

Lina: Yellow?

Me: Yes, yellow.

Josiah: Yellow?

Me: yes, yellow.

Lina: This one right here?

Me: Yes, the one you have your finger on.

Lina: Yellow?

Finally Jeff said “How many different ways can you say it???” I almost expelled Lina that day. She must have asked me 5 times which bird. But I kept my calm and reminded myself that it is ONLY 20 minutes!! And they love it. Lina, my one leftie.

Then it is reading time. We are in Core B for these little ones. You can see that Jodi decided it was time for a midmorning snack. I look in the lesson plan and tell the kids which books we need. You, Jillian, get Mother Goose Rhymes.

Jillian runs to get a book off the shelf while the boys poise themselves for their turn to run to the shelf.

And it is time to read. Donut is right next to me by the chair. If I can’t trust a kid to play by himself out of my sight then he doesn’t. Jonah has been trained to sit quietly. Jodi is such a good sport as I lean forward to read and chat with the kids.

We read Pat-A-Cake.

You guys know that one don’t you? Jillian shows the hand motions while singing the song.

And Jodi is out.

One more worksheet page.

And here it is 10:25 already. We are done with formal school.

Clean up our school stuff.

Now it is computer time. The little kids, save Lina, have computer time until the big kids need the computers.

Yep, it’s Club Penguin. I love that game.

Josiah is learning about following directions. He must make a licorice pizza. Then he earns coins to buy a puffle.

Jodi is up again and my part of supervising little kid school is over. See you tomorrow.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Our School Day – Part II
2. Our School Day – Part III
3. Home School Group

The skies look like this.

Today I took 3 kids to the Tea Room.  I met Debbie and we had a great time aside from the 45 minute wait for a table.  Oh ya, it’s Saturday. Duh!!  Donut was not feeling well while we were there and he had a full blown fever by the time we got home.  See what happens when you skip kefir and CLO for over a week?  Yep.  So I dosed him with vitamin C, Ambrotose and Sovereign Silver.  Within 20 minutes his fever was gone.  After another dosing an hour later he was up running and playing.  We will see how he does tomorrow but right now we have this thing on the run.

I have about a million pictures of our school day…ok maybe there are only 250,000 but the thought of editing all of them and taking the time to post them here is …well, terrifying.  But I really want ya’ll to understand what “school” is to us (you know, during the 3 weeks a year that we bother).  It’s important to me.

I did learn something while documenting our school day though.  It takes almost twice as long to accomplish anything while trying to snap photos of it.  Even when you are not the one doing the picture taking.  Because then you have to deal with the constant questions like “Do you want a picture of that?  How many pictures do you want?  Do you want your head in the picture?”  And you want to scream “It’s a *digital* camera!!  Take the dern picture!!!” Sheesh!

Anyway, we did take pictures of the full school day…well, at least the seatwork portion because that is the hard part that everyone wonders about.  Everyone, in all grades, can enjoy a good science experiment with oobleck.  You don’t know what oobleck is?  I’m sorry, you must have been public schooled.  So we will cover that and quite honestly, tonight while perusing my photos, I realized this may be a 5 part entry.  I may dedicate the entirety of next week to postings of children hunched over workbooks diligently focusing on math or spelling or something, you know, dude.  Because we are dedicated here and we don’t want to give any impression otherwise.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Reason 627 to Home School Your Children
2. Love This School Thing!!
3. One Reason Living in the Bible Belt is Good